Venetian blind



J. A. s'roala A ril8, 1941 VENETIAN BLIND Filed July 23, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet lv Jab/7 a ST'Ob/b,

J. A STOHIE April 8, 1 941.

VENETIAN BLIND Filed July 23, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 8, 1941.

J. A. 'STOBIE VENETIAN BLIND so 9 I Filed July 23, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3gwvwwbom J. A. STOBIE April 8, 1941.

VENETIAN BLIND Filed July 23, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 &

Patented- Apr. 8, 1941 VENE'I'IAN BLIND John A. Stable, Malta Bend, M0.,assignor of onehalf to Elva B. Young, Kansas City, Mo.

Application July 23, 1940, Serial No. 347,007

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a Venetian blindadapted to n associated withand close a window which may be selectively closed or opened upon avertical movement thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of slatsforming a Venetian blind which i may be stacked adjacent an upperextremity of a window structure substantially out ololbstructingposition relative to an associated window.

A feature oi the invention is the provision of slats, in a Venetianblind, having supporting means extending longitudinally therefrom andspaced a predetermined distance from the longitudinal center line of theslats so that the latter, when in window ohstructlng position, will hesubstantially vertically disposed.

Another feature of the invention is the pro vision of linlr supportedmeans, outstanding from slats longitudinally thereof, having angularlydisposed extremities adapted to engage pivotally mounted means so as tomove the slats from a vertical to a horizontal position.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of limits forsupporting slats lorming a Venetian hlind with the links so arranged andconstructed that they may he folded in a compact assemblage topermit'the slats tohe staciied.

An added feature oi the invention is the provision, in a Venetian blind,of guldeways for slat supporting means so that said means may hemanipulated to form a compact arrangement or assemblage.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of rotatablemeans associated with a framework adapted to raise or lower liniisupported slats forming a Venetian hlind with means adjacent an upperextremity of the framework for intercepting the links and collapsingthem as they pass the rotatable means to thereby facilitate stacking theslats in a compact assemhlage.

The above and numerous other objects and features of the invention willbecome apparent from the succeeding description considered together withthe accompanying drawings which disclose an exemplified form of theinvention,

Considering the drawings generally, Figure l is a front elevatlonal viewof a window, inclusive of a frame and associated details, which embodiesa form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view corresponding somewhat to Figure 1with a portion thereof removed oromitted to more clearly illustrate thedetails and arrangement of the construction.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along the lines ii--301? Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing themanipulating mechanism for the blind or closure.

Figure d is a), vertical transverse view taken along the lines iti ofFigure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse view somewhat similar to Figure l buttairen through the center of the window and its associated details ofconstruction and particularly along the lines ii--ii of Figure2,1oolving in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross sectional view tairen along the linesii-ii of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure l is a horizontal cross sectional view taken along the lines'i--'i oi Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a partial enlarged front elevational view showing the slatsand associated details of construction when the slats are verticallydisposed in overlapping, window closing or ohstructing position.

Figure 9 is a partial enlarged front elevational view correspondingsomewhat to the arrangemerit of Figure 8 but showing the slatshorizontally disposed.

Figure iii is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines iii-it ofFigure 8, looking in the direction of-the arrows.

now referring in detail to the several views of the drawings whereinlike reference characters refer to like parts, there is disclosed awindow structure i exemplifying a form. of the invention and adapted tobe associated with or form a part of a building structure of any type.The window structure is formed in part by usual horizontally spaced,vertically extending stiles 2 connected adjacent their upper extremitiesby a top rail or header ii and their lower extremities by a bottom railor sill t to form a continuous framework defining an opening 5therebetween. Fitted within the framework in any approved orconventional manner is the usual window sash t which may he of anydesired type and functions as a barrier between the interior andexterior of the building structure. For the sake of clarity the windowsash is merely disclosed generally in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawingswith no particu lar reference to the details thereof since it togetherwith the window frame forms no part of the invention.

A blind or window opening closure, indicated generally by the referencecharacter I, is .ar-

'ranged *and constructed so that it may be completely assembled prior toinstallation in a building structure and may be used in existingbuildings or those in the process of construction. The blind or closurecomprises outer vertically extending stile plates 8 and 8 which form thehorizontal limits of the blind frame 9 and which are secured to thestiles 2 by any approved method or means. Spaced inwardly of the windowopening from the outer stile plates are intermediate stile plates l andI0, respectively, which are maintained in a predetermined position bymeans of upper and lower spacer bars ll, only the former of which areillustrated in the drawings. Substantially completing the blind frame 9are inner stile plates l2 which are spaced inwardly of the windowopening from the intermediate stile plates and retained in this positionby upper and lower spacer, bars l3 only the former of which are shown inthe drawings. The associated outer, intermediate and inner stile plateswith their related spacer bars are secured together by means of screws Hwhich, if desired, may extend beyond the outer stile plates to beimbedded in the adjacent window frame stile 2 and thereby secure theclosure frame to the window frame. All of the blind frame stiles aresubstantially coextensive in a vertical direction, and their length orheightis determined bythe size of window frame with which they are to beassociated. The blind frame stiles are of different horizontal extent,the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. A

Forming a part of the blind or closure are a I multiplicity or pluralityof slats, strips or laths l5 formed of relatively thin material,preferably metal, but they may, if desired. be of wood or any othersuitable material or composition. The slats are of a length a trifleless than the horizontal distance between the inner stile plates l2 soas to be capable, when in a predetermined position, of obstructingvision through the winoverlapping relation, are pivoted together byhollow rivets or eyelets Zl, and by reason of the rivets 22 and 24 thebar links are secured together to form a continuous uninterrupted slathanger chain. The shafts l6 project through the chain eyelets or hollowrivets with sufficient clearance thereabout to permit the slats to pivotfreely about the shafts thereof and, together with their unbalancedsuspension, to facilitate the slats to normally assume a substantiallyvertical disposition when in -window obstructing position.

Extending horizontally of the blind or closure frame, adjacent the upperextremity thereof, is an axle .25 desirably projecting through andjournaled in all of the stile plates intermediate their transverse orlateral limits. The axle is freely rotatable with respect to the blindframe. Suitably keyed or otherwise secured to the axle are a plurality,preferably a pair, of auxiliary sprockets 26 rotatable with the axle andlongitudinally spaced thereof to be positioned between adjacentintermediate and inner stile plates. The auxiliary sprockets have,suitably spaced along their respective peripheries, cup-shapedindentures, reliefsor recesses 21 capable of or adapted to engage orreceive the slat shafts, and by reason of this particular arrangementthe, slats, upon a rotative movement of the axle and associatedauxiliary sprockets, are moved vertically either out of or into windowobstructing position, depending upon the direction in which the axle isrotated. Since the bar chain is flexdow opening, and for this samereason the laths are of suflicient height to be adapted to overlap oneanother. Each slat is provided with oppositely directed shafts l6extending longitudinally beyond the limits of the slats to extendthrough a projected plane of the inner stile plates and terminate shortof the intermediate stile plates 9 and 9. The extremity H of the lowerportion of each inner stile plate defines the outer limits of a verticalinner guideway I8 in which the shafts is move to and. from windowobstructing position. The shafts are secured to the slats by anyapproved or desired method or means and are preferably spaced apredetermined distance away from the longitudinal center line of theassociated slat so that the latter, when in normal window obstructingible, it will be noted. by referring particularly to Figures 4 and, 5 ofthe drawings, that the distance between the centers of the successiveshafts I6 is determinative of the distance between the auxiliarysprocket indentures spaced as chords along the sprockets.

The guideways l8 in the inner stile plates, as they approach the upperlimits of the stile plates, are tangent or co-extensive with the uppercircular path described by the auxiliary sprocket indentures and indirect alignment therewith to form a substantially semi-circularguideway 28, and by reason of this construction the slat shafts aremaintaine in bearing relation with the auxiliarysprockets as they areengaged thereby in i the process of moving the slats from or to windowobstructing position. The circular guideway 28 of each inner stile plateterminates in or communicates with an outer vertical guideway 29 whichis substantially tangent to the position, will assume a substantiallyvertical diszontal limits of the slats to form a flexible means or chainfor supporting the slats, and in this respect the links, arranged inoverlapping series, have alternate associate extremities 2| pivotallyconnected together by rivets 22 or any other suitable means. The otherextremities 23, also in circular guidewayand parallel with the innerguideway. As will be noted, all the guideways of an inner stile plateare in communication with one another to form a continuous means for thereception of the slat shafts. The outer vguideways project below theplane of the auxiliary sprockets a predetermined distance for thepurpose to be'hereinafter described.

Means is provided for imparting motion to the axle when it is desired tomanipulate the blind, and for the accomplishment of this purpose a mainsprocket 30 is suitably keyed to the axle adjacent the right handextremity thereof when considering particularly Figures 1 and 2. Themain sprocket is positioned between the outer and intermediate stileplates 8 and [0, respectively. Suitably journaled to and positionedbetween the outer and intermediate stile plates 8 and I0, respectively,adjacent the .lower and forward extremities thereof in substantiallyvertical alignment with the main sprocket, is an idling sprocket 3|which is connected to the asamso be freeiy'grasped by an operator tomanipulate the blind. Idling rollers 23 are provided in the stile frameto maintain the upper extremity of the inner portion of'the operatingchain forwardly-oi' the stile frame and the intermediate outer portionof the operating chain out of contact with the window sash.

From the above it will be observed that a downward force applied to theinner or exposed portion of the operating chain will impart, whenviewing Figures 4 and 5, a counterclockwise mo-' tion to the axle andits associated sprockets to have the latter engage the shafts and lowerthe slats to a position adjacent the front of the window frame or awindow obstructing position while an opposite .force applied to theoperating chain will result in the slats being raised to a positionadjacent the rear of the window frame to permit a substantially clearunobstructed vision through the window opening.

As the guideways permit the free passage of the shafts therethrough andsince the weight of the slats, shafts and bar links maintain the blindat the inner portion or extremity of the blind frame extended so thatthe slats will assume a somewhat shingled relationship or verticaloverlapping disposition no additional means is required to keep theblind from folding when it is desired to close the window opening.However, the mass above mentioned may result in an unwarranted oraccidental lowering of the shade after it has been previously positionedto obstruct merely the upper section or any portion of the windowopening, and for this reason a counter tion outwardly of the blind frameare prongs or shanks 40 spaced longitudinally of the rods to agree withor correspond to the spacing of the slat shafts. The slat shafts, beyondthe bar links, are angularly disposed to form extensions or angularfingers 4i which, when the slats are normally or vertically disposed,incline or slope upwardly and outwardly from the shafts toward the innertransverse limits of the blind frames By referring particularly toFigures 6 through 9 V of the drawings it will be noted that a pivotalcounter-clockwise motion imparted to the rods weight hasbeen provided inthe arrangement.

As exemplary of such a counter weight, a pulley or grooved wheel 34 iskeyed or otherwise rigidly secured to an extremity of the axle removedfrom the extremity to which the main sprocket is secured. ,The'pulley isdisposed between the outer and intermediate stlleplates 8 and i0,respectively, and has secured thereto an'extremity of a cord or rope 35which is trained around the pulley to depend therefrom and have itsother end secured to a suitable weight 38. The rope,- between the pulleyand weight. is intercepted by an idling pulley 31 arranged or positionedto dispose the weight intermediate the transverse limits of the blindframe so that the weight will not interfere with the sash. By reason ofthis arrangement, therefore, the blind may be stopped and main"- tainedat any predetermined elevation.

It may, at times, be found desirable, for the purpose of ventilation, topivot or move the slats to a horizontal disposition while the blind islowcred or in window obstructing position. Further, it may be desired tohave the slats of the lower section of the blind vertically disposed toobstruct vision therethrough and pivot the slats of the upper sectionhorizontally or vice versa. For the accomplishment of these purposesthere are provided upper and lower vertically disposed and cratingchain, resulting i the extremities 2i through a ninety degree are willposition the prongs in the path of the associated shaft extension sothat upona manipulation of the 0pin the slats being moved vertically orin an upward direction, the extensions of the shafts of the adjacentrods will contact or be intercepted by the prongs and cause the slats topivot or rotate about their respective shafts to assume a verticallyspaced horizontal disposition, as most clearly illustrated in Figure .9.Either or both of the rods 28 may be rotated to position the prongsthereof in the path of the shaft extensions to open the slats of theupper or lower or both sections of the blind, as desired. Knobs orhandles 44 are provided on the rods to form means for pivoting the rodsabout their axes.

The forward or inner extremity of the blind frame is closed off orfinished by angularly formed shields 45 and II, respectively, which areremovably secured in position by means of screws 48. An extremity 6'! ofeach shield, and particularly the portion thereof below a positionadjacent the top thereof, forms a marginal edge spaced from the innerstile plate extremity i! to define the limits of the inner guideway ii.The shields form a removable cover whereby the mechanism disposedbetween the inner and outer stile plates is hidden-from view. The shield45 is provided with apertures 48 which permit the inner portion of theoperating chain to pass therethrough and become exposed for thesuccessful operation of the blind.

longitudinally disposed, vertically extending bar chain bearing plates.49 are interposed between and secured to the intermediate and innerstile plates to define the outer limits of a channel 50 adjacent theinner extremity of the blind frame in which the bar chain may move.Strips II are secured to the inner stile plates or bearing plates 49 inany desired manner to restrict the channels ilii and prevent the barsforming the chain 20 from shifting horizontally of the slats. The stripsII are inclined, as at 52, adjacent their upper extremities so as toprevent interference between the bars I! and strips when the blind isbeing lowered and particularly as the bars of the chain 20 are enteringthe channels Ill.

The bar links it are irregularly formed with thereof greater than theextremities 23 to present a relatively smooth chain edge 53 and an edge54, the latter rivets 22, which secure associated or adjacentextremities 2i together, are spaced inwardly of the bar links from oneor the smooth edge of the chain an amount equal to the distance of therivet or eyelet 24 from the same chain edge thereby, as previouslyindicated, disposing the rivets 22 and 24 in alignment. By thuspositioningthe rivets 22 and forming the bar links it will be noted thatthe larger extremities of the bar links are eccentrically connected.

irregular or convoluted chain of which form apices IS. The

Adjacent to and parallel with the guideways 29 are angularlyformed'break or guide bars 50 secured to the inner stile plates and eachhaving a leg 51 thereof extending longitudinally of the blind frametoward the adjacent intermediate stile plate. The leg 51 of each guidebar is, adjacent an upper extremity thereof, inclined or tapered, as at58, so as to be capable of intercepting or receiving the bar links asthey pass the auxiliary sprockets in an opening action of the blind. Aswill be noted by referring particularly to Figure of the drawings, uponan opening movement of the blind the apices 55 of the bar chain bearupon the inclined portions 58 of the guide bars, and since the shaftsand their associated chain eyelets are maintained in a predeterminedpath by'the guideway 29, the rivets 22 are urged out of'alignment withthe rivets 24. This action results in the chain 20 being broken so thatthe bar links may become horizontally disposed to stack at the upperextremity of the blind frame. So as to permit a great number of barlinks to occupy a rather limited space adjacent an upper extremity ofthe window frame, the bar links are shingled or, in other words, aplurality of bar links are arranged in stepped relation, tending to makethe chain grow in thickness outwardly of the blind frame, and then thestepped relation is reversed for another series of bar links which tendsto make the chain grow in thickness inwardly of the frame. By thisparticular arrangement the links are disposed in a compact assemblage tooccupy a relatively small space adjacent an upper extremity of thewindow sash and frame when the blind is raised.

The shafts and their associated slats are adapted to be superimposedupon one another in the guideways 29 and, as will be noted, the slatsassume a stacked relationship .or horizontal disposition when moved tosubstantially window unobstructing position. This particular slatdisposition is due to the extensions or angular fingers 4i somewhatbalancing the slats on their respective shafts. D

It will be observed that various changes and alterations may be made tothe illustrated construction without departing from within the spiritand scope of the appended claims since merely an exemplary form of theinvention is herein disclosed and described.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of aframework, a plurality of slats positioned one above another andnormally vertically disposed in overlapping relation, means adjacent thetransverse limits of said slats for moving the latter vertically, shaftsextending longitudinally of said slats and pivotally connected to saidmeans, and vertically disposed means pivotally connected to saidframework adjacent an extremity of said slats adapted to be selectivelypivoted to a position in the path of adjacent shafts to be engagedthereby to cause said slats to pivot to a horizontal position.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of aframework, a plurality of slats positioned one above another andnormally vertically disposed in overlapping relation, shafts extendinglongitudinally ofsaid slats, and vertically disposed means pivotallyconnected to said framework adjacent an extremity of said slats adaptedto be selectively pivoted to a position in the path of adjacent shaftsto be engaged thereby to cause said slats upon vertical movement thereofto be pivoted to a horizontal position.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination, a framework,a plurality of slats positioned one above another and normallyvertically disposed in overlapping relation, links adjacent thetransverse limits of said slats, means for moving said links and slatsvertically, shafts extending longitudinally from said slats andextending through means connecting adjacent links, and means associatedwith said framework adjacent an extremity of said slats adapted to bemoved into the path of adjacent shafts to be engaged thereby to causesaid slats to be pivoted to a horizontal position.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of aframework, a plurality of slats positioned one above another andnormally vertically disposed in overlapping relation to form upper andlower sections, shafts extending longitudinally from said slats, meansassociated with said shafts for moving said slats vertically, and meansassociated with said framework adjacent an extremity of said slatsadapted to be selectively moved in the path of adjacent shafts to beengaged thereby to cause said slats of either or both sections to bepivoted to a horizontal position.

5. In a device of the character described, in

portion, and means disposed adjacent one end of the slats having prongsmovable into the path of movement of said laterally projecting portionsso that upon vertical movement of said slats the laterally projectingportions will engage said prongs and cause the slats to rotatehorizontally.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of aframework, a plurality of slats positioned one above another, shaftsextending longitudinally from said slats and being spaced from thelongitudinal center line thereof so that said slats may normally assumea vertical position, means associated with said framework and. saidshafts for moving said slats vertically, one of the shafts of each ofsaid slats being provided with a laterally projecting portion, and meansassociated with said framework adapted to be selectively moved into thepath of vertical movement of said projecting portions so as to beengaged thereby upon vertical movement of the slats to cause some or allof said slats to rotate on their respective shafts.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a framework,a plurality of slats within said framework and positioned one aboveanother, shafts outstanding from said slats longitudinally thereof,links associated with said framework and positioned adjacent thelongitu" dinal limits of said slats, pivot means connecting alternateassociated extremities of said links, said shafts extending throughmeans pivotally connecting the other associated extremities of saidlinks, and means associated with said shafts for moving said slatsvertically.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of aframework, a plurality of slats within said framework and positioned oneabove another, shafts outstanding from said slats longitudinallythereof, links associated with said framework and positioned adjacentthe longituaasasco dinal limits of said slats, pivot means connectingalternate associated extremities of said links, said shafts extendingthrough means pivotally connecting the other associated linkextremities, means adapted to receive said shafts for moving said slatsvertically, and means in said framework for breaking said links at saidpivot means so as to permit said slats to assume a stacked relation. 1

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of aframework, a plurality of slats within the confines of said frameworkand positioned one above another, shafts outstanding from said slatslongitudinally thereof, links positioned adjacent the longitudinallimits of said slats, pivot means connecting alternate associatedextremities of said links, said pivot means being eccentricallydisposed, said shafts being inalignment with said pivot means andextending through means connecting the other associated linkextremities, rotatable means at the upper extremity of said frameworkadapted to receive said shafts for moving said slats upwardly, and meansadapted to intercept said links after they pass said rotatable means soas to urge said pivot means out of alignment with said shafts and permitsaid links to fold.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a windowframe defining an opening, a plurality of vertically disposed slatswithin the confines of said window frame and positioned one aboveanother to close said opening. means outstanding from the ends of saidslats. means associated with said first named means for supporting saidslats, rotatable means adjacent an upper extremity of said window frameadapted to receive said outstanding means tercept and collapse saidsupporting means after Passing said rotatable means so that said slatsmay assume a stacked horizontal position.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a windowframe defining an opening. a plurality of vertically disposed slatswithin the confines of said window frame and positioned one aboveanother to close said opening, eccentrically connected means associatedwith said slats for the support thereof, rotatable means for moving saidslats upwardly, means adjacent an upper extremity of said window frameand said rotatable means for intercepting and collapsing saideccentrically connected means after passing said rotatable means so thatsaid. slats may assume a stacked horizontal position.

12. In a device by flex-' means, and operating means secured to saidaxle for imparting rotation thereto so that said slats may be movedvertically.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination of a windowframe defining an opening, a plurality of slats positioned one abovetion, flexible means connecting said longitudi-.

- p ning. a plurality of extremity of said another, means extendinglongitudinally from said slats and being spaced from the longitudinalcenter line of said slats so that the latter may normally assume a.vertical position to close said opening, vertically disposed meanscarried by said window frame adjacent an extremity of said slats adaptedadjacent longitudinally extending means so that upon a vertical movementof said slats the latter may move to a substantially horizontaldisposinally extending means for supporting said slats, rotatable meansadjacent an upper extremity of said frame for engaging saidlongitudinally extending means, and operating means connecting saidrotatable means for moving said slats ver. tically.

14. In a device of the character described, the combination of a windowframe defining an another, shafts outstanding from the extremities ofsaid slats, said shafts being secured to said slats in spaced relationto the longitudinal center line thereof so that said' slats will bevertically disposed in overlapping relation to close said opening, anormally horizontal angular extension onone of said shafts of each slat,a link chain associated with said shafts, a vertically disposed rodpivoted to said frame adjacent one slats, prongs outstanding from saidrod and adapted upon a pivotal movement of said rod to be positioned inthe path of said extensions so that upon vertical movement of said slatssaid extensions will engage said prongs to pivot said slatssubstantially horizontally. auxiliary sprockets rotatably associatedwith said frame adjacent an upper extremity thereof for engaging saidshafts. and a main sprocket having a flexible chain associated therewithfor actuating said auxiliary sprocket.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination of a windowframe defining an opening, a plurality of slats adjacent an innerportion of said frame-for closing said opening. shafts outstanding fromsaid slats longitudinally thereof. flexible means connecting said shaftsfor supporting said slats, guide means in said frame for the receptionof said shafts, and sprockets pivotally connected to said frame andadapted to urge said shafts along said guide means so as to positionsaid slats adjacent an outer portion and an upper extremity of saidwindow frame. said slats upon passing beyond said sprockets from theinner to the outer portion of said frame being adapted to besuperimposed upon one another in substantially horizontal stackedrelation adjacent an upper extremity of said frame.

' JOHN A. STOBIE.

to be selectively moved in the path of slats positioned one above

